Scottish crime drama Dept Q has been hailed as a must-watch for fans of Slow Horses, with a second season already confirmed. The series, adapted from Jussi Adler-Olsen's Department Q books, premiered on Netflix in 2025.
Plot and Characters
The show follows DCI Carl Morck (Matthew Goode), a brilliant but difficult detective who returns to work after recovering from a botched ambush shooting. He is assigned a near-derelict basement office—formerly the police station's shower quarters—and told to work through a mountain of unsolved cold cases alone.
As Dept Q progresses, Morck is joined by Akram Salim, a former Syrian policeman (Alexej Manvelov), recovering partner James Hardy (Jamie Sives), and rookie constable Rose Dickson (Leah Byrne). Together, they investigate the disappearance of Crown solicitor Merritt Lingard (Chloe Pirrie), a case that becomes the focus of the first season.
Critical Acclaim
Reviewers have drawn comparisons to Slow Horses, noting the similar trope of talented but damaged characters in a dead-end department led by a brilliant but unpleasant boss. The Jerusalem Post called it "a perfect series for those Slow Horses fans who want something to watch while waiting for the new season," while the Financial Times described it as "a new Netflix crime thriller with a title that’s evocative of James Bond, and a premise more than a little reminiscent of Slow Horses."
Audience reviewers have also praised the show. One wrote: "This show kept me glued! The plot is well thought out, and is full of twists without being too convoluted." Another called it "one of the best crime series I’ve seen in a while. Dark, smart and full of interesting characters."
Cast and Future
The cast includes British and Scottish talent: alongside Goode, Pirrie, and Manvelov, Kelly Macdonald plays Morck’s therapist, Kate Dickie his commanding officer, and Mark Bonnar the Lord Advocate. One reviewer noted the strength of the supporting performances: "You know it’s going to be good when Mark Bonnar and Kelly MacDonald are almost reduced to bystanders and it certainly didn’t fail to deliver."
A fourth fan criticized the beginning but said it improved: "Started very slow but then it took off and I couldn’t stop watching. Fantastic actors and an off-the-rails story."
The second season of Dept Q is confirmed, with filming underway in Edinburgh. The first season is available to stream on Netflix.
